JFH Music News

February, 2009

*Friday, February 27th, 2009*

This week, Matt Maher was invited
to Jon and Sherry Rivers’ ranch, where the two host the K-LOVE morning show each weekday morning. K-LOVE’s “Morning Show with Jon &
Sherry” reaches millions of listeners worldwide. Matt performed his radio singles, “Your Grace Is Enough”, “As It Is In
Heaven” and current single “Empty & Beautiful” along with his song “Great Things”. Matt spent three hours performing and
talking with Jon and Sherry about his personal...
<< Full Report >>
The official press release for Wednesday's news: XBOX 360 has chosen INO Records’ Disciple to participate in their coveted
“Game With Fame” program on Sunday March 1, granting fans the chance to play their favorite rock band in Halo 3. Former gamers
include P.O.D., Fall Out Boy and Gym Class Heroes. For more information and a video from the band on their upcoming game day,
visit myspace.com/disciplerocks...
<< Full Report >>
Cross Movement Records is pleased to announce that three of their artists,
FLAME, Da' T.R.U.T.H. and
J.R., have been nominated for song award honors at the 2009 GMA Dove Awards.
FLAME and Da' T.R.U.T.H. are both nominated in the "Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song" category for the song "Joyful Noise" from
FLAME's GRAMMY Award-nominated album, Our World Redeemed, while J.R...
<< Full Report >>
On April 2nd, two time GRAMMY®-nominated band Skillet will launch the second leg of their
“COMATOSE” tour in follow up to their 2008 run where 60% of the shows sold out, placing the tour in Pollstar’s Concert Pulse
Top 50 Tours. Completing the bill and joining Skillet in 32+ cities will be labelmates and fellow rockers Disciple and
Decyfer Down.
Skillet has spent the last few months in Los Angeles recording their next studio project with producer Howard Benson...
<< Full Report >>
Singer/songwriter, author and speaker Tammy Trent has been
nominated for Inspirational Female Vocalist of the Year in the 2009 Christian Music Hall of Fame Visionary Awards. Trent is
nominated alongside such longstanding artists as Janet Paschal, Susan Ashton, Bonnie Keen and Pam Thum.
Voting in the Christian Music Hall of Fame Visionary Awards is open to the public at www.hallmuseum.com until March 31...
<< Full Report >>
Legendary country artist Randy Travis is
slated to release Three Wooden Crosses: The Inspirational Hits of Randy Travis, a 20-song collection (see track listing below)
featuring inspirational songs from one of the world’s most recognizable voices, on March 17th. Randy has released six
inspirational albums over the past eight years which have collectively been recognized with over two million in combined sales...
<< Full Report >>
Celebrated worship leader and songwriter Carl Cartee
will release his latest project, Everything You Do, on Great Worship Songs, an imprint operated by Brentwood-Benson
Music Publishing, March 31. The album is backed by an extensive promotional campaign, kicking off this week.
“Everything You Do represents what I love about worship songs and making music for Jesus,” says Cartee...
<< Full Report >>

*Thursday, February 26th, 2009*

Legendary, best-selling pop-rock band newsboys
prepares for the release of its fourteenth studio project, In The Hands of God, releasing May 5, 2009. The group is
currently debuting music from its forthcoming record on the sell-out “Join The Tribe” spring tour.
Produced by Max Hsu (Superchick, tobyMac) along with newsboys’ Peter Furler and Jeff Frankenstein, In The Hands of God...
<< Full Report >>
Following a successful run of 2008 fall dates which included multiple sold-out
performances, GRAMMY® award-winning and multi-Platinum selling artists Michael W. Smith and
Steven Curtis Chapman will once again hit the road together for the spring leg
of “The United Tour.” Kicking off March 28, in Chattanooga, the tour will hit 24 cities across the country including Cleveland,
Baltimore, Visalia, Colorado Springs, Little Rock, Indianapolis, Lexington, Nashville and more...
<< Full Report >>
Bloodgood and Tourniquet, two of the most influential bands of Christian heavy music, are to co-headline the third
“Legends of Rock” festival to take place on April 4, 2009 in Ennepetal,
Germany. Coincidentally, each band has been joined by a (former) Stryper member in their current line-up: Oz Fox plays guitar in
Bloodgood, bass player Tim Gaines comes along with Tourniquet. In total, 13 artists...
<< Full Report >>
Arrow Records has a lot to be excited about. On Friday, February 20th, the Gospel
Music Association (GMA) announced the nominees for the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards (www.doveawards.com) and one of the
breakthrough nominations was for Arrow Records recording artist Canton Jones.
Jones received a nomination for Urban Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed album, Kingdom Business.
For the past 10 years, Jones has been unmistakably known...
<< Full Report >>

*Wednesday, February 25th, 2009*

Hard rocking Southern and Christian band Disciple will play Halo® 3 with Xbox LIVE® Gold members March 1.
If you're an Xbox LIVE Gold member (if not, upgrade now!), and you want a chance to play with Disciple, send a friend request
to the following Gamertags and be online half an hour before (3:30 P.M. ET) the Game with Fame session starts on Sunday,
March 1, 4:00 P.M. ET...
<< Full Report >>More Than Sound is Facedown's way of stepping up to being more
than just a record label. Below is a letter from Head Honcho Jason Dunn explaining the heart behind More Than Sound.
"There's more to life than ourselves; more than our own worries and fears or our joys and triumphs. There?s more to life then
an economic crisis or a surplus in a budget. Every day, people die from lack of clean water, malaria or other treatable
diseases. Every day, families are destroyed leaving children alone...
<< Full Report >>
Sparrow Records worship artist Sarah Reeves greets
nationally renowned author and speaker Thelma Wells along with Vonette Bright, wife of Campus Crusade for Christ founder Bill
Bright, during the 2009 NRB Convention's Women's Luncheon held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the Gaylord Opryland Convention
Center in Nashville, Tenn. Reeves performed...
<< Full Report >>
Today, the Don Moen Company announced
the formation of its new radio division, as well as a strategic partnership with Christian radio luminaries Joe Battaglia and
John Frost's newly formed Battaglia-Frost Creative Productions.
The new organization's first production will be a syndicated Sunday morning drive-time radio show hosted by Don Moen,
featuring new and classic worship music...
<< Full Report >>

*Tuesday, February 24th, 2009*

Family Force 5, who won Artist of the Year in Jesusfreakhideout.com's 2009 Reader's Choice Awards for the second consecutive
year, has announced plans to record a Christmas album for release this Fall. In a new audio blog, front man Solomon "Soul Glow Activatur" Olds
states, "All I'm gonna say is, right now, we're working on a Family Force 5 Christmas album. Should be coming out this Fall.
That's right, we just had Christmas. I know you're probably not even in the mood for Christmas stuff right now, but we're
having to get into the mood!" Olds then asked the...
<< Full Report >>
Last Friday the 40th Annual Gospel Music Award nominees were announced in Nashville,
Tennessee, which included 13 nominations for BEC Recordings /
Tooth & Nail Records / Solid State Records
that included four "albums" of the year in respective categories. Among those nominated were Jeremy Camp, who received his
fifth "Male Vocalist of the Year" nomination (winner 2004, 2005), along with two nominations each for hip-hop artist Manafest
(Hip Hop Song/Album)...
<< Full Report >>

*Monday, February 23rd, 2009*

Multi-talented producer, writer, and artist Ian Eskelin received top honors on Friday,
Feb. 20, 2009 at a press conference announcing the 2009 GMA Dove Award nominees. Eskelin was recognized with eight total Dove nods.
Defending his Producer of the Year title, Eskelin also garnered multiple nominations for his contribution to new Fervent
Records artist Francesca Battistelli’s debut record, My Paper Heart...
<< Full Report >>For Today have announced the title and theme behind their new album.
Portraits, set to be released on June 9th, is For Today's sophomore album on Facedown Records and centers around
"the fathers of the faith." Vocalist Mattie Montgomery had this to say about the new album:
"We've been locked up for over 2 months now, pouring ourselves into our?new album, Portraits. We are excited and proud...
<< Full Report >>
Fresh off his GRAMMY® win and recent GMA Dove Award nominations for “Alive & Transported” as well as Artist of the Year
and the RIAA GOLD Certification for “Portable Sounds,” TOBYMAC’S brand new music video for his hit single “Lose My Soul”
will make it’s online premiere tomorrow, February 24th, at AMAZON.com. The video will also appear on the front of the AOL Music
Page and Video of the Day for AOL popeater on March 15th. AOL Music is currently the No. 1 music site with a monthly audience
of more than 23 million...
<< Full Report >>
The year of Mary Mary continues as the dynamic gospel duo of sisters Erica and Tina
Campbell continue their award winning year with the announcement of the 2009 Dove Awards. Mary Mary garnered four nominations
for Contemporary Gospel Album (The Sound), Urban Recorded Song ("Get Up" and "Love Him Like I Do") and Group of the
Year. On the heels of the Dove Award announcements, the 2009 Grammy Award and NAACP Image Award winners were also announced as
performers at the White House. Mary Mary will join Diana Krall, Tony Bennett, Will.i.am, and others on Wednesday...
<< Full Report >>
Five-time Dove Award-winning, two-time GRAMMY nominated rap duo
GRITS received two 2009 GMA Dove Award nominations, announced during a press
conference held Friday, Feb. 20, 2009 at Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitor Information Center. The nominations
mark Revolution Art’s first honors as a label.
GRITS was recognized in the category of Rap/Hip Hop Album for Reiterate (2008)...
<< Full Report >>sixstepsrecords is celebrating a total of 15
GMA Dove Award nominations with Chris Tomlin leading with seven nominations alongside rock/worship band,
David Crowder* Band who received three nods, while six-time nominee, Passion garners one
for Passion: God Of This City. The 40th Annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards ceremony will take place...
<< Full Report >>

*Sunday, February 22nd, 2009*

Inpop/Aware/Columbia Records singer-songwriter Mat Kearney
will release his third studio project, City of Black & White, on May 19, 2009. Following the success of
Nothing Left To Lose, Kearney returns with an album of evolved sound and a world of new experiences.
Winding down a whirlwind five years on the road as a new artist, Kearney recently settled into his new hometown of Nashville,
TN. It is there that he found the songs for...
<< Full Report >>

*Saturday, February 21st, 2009*

Michael W. Smith, one of Christian music’s
most revered artists, released his 21st album A New Hallelujah on October 28 amid fan and industry acclaim. Today Michael was
honored with three nominations directly tied to this incredible project. A New Hallelujah received a nod in the
Praise & Worship Album of the Year category, where he is recognized as artist and producer, and in the Inspirational Recorded...
<< Full Report >>Tenth Avenue North, the Best Selling and
Most Played New Artist of 2008 (according to Nielsen SoundScan and R&R’s Year End Chart) is celebrated yet again with its
first GMA Dove Awards nomination in the New Artist of the Year category.
This honor comes on the heels of the band’s recent radio success as “By Your Side” claimed the No. 1 spot on R&R’s CHR chart,
just a few weeks ago. This marked the third time Tenth Avenue North had held the No. 1 spot on radio charts and gave the...
<< Full Report >>

*Friday, February 20th, 2009*

Veteran rock band Third Day garnered three
GMA Dove Award Nominations this morning as nominees were announced at a press conference in Nashville, Tenn. Third Day received
recognition in the coveted Artist of the Year and Group of the Year categories, and in the Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year,
for its successful Revelation project.
Revelation debuted at No. 6 on The Billboard Top 200 chart in July, landing the band on the cover of Billboard...
<< Full Report >>
Hitmaker and recent double GRAMMY-nominee, Brandon Heath
is honored today with four nominations for the Gospel Music Association’s 40th Annual Dove Awards including Male Vocalist of
the Year. Once again, Heath appears in the Song of the Year category, this time for co-writing his blockbuster,
GRAMMY-nominated song “Give Me Your Eyes,” which spent 14 weeks at No.1 # 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart.
This week, the megahit song spent a 27th week as the No. 1 download on iTunes Christian Song Chart, holding for 7 months...
<< Full Report >>
February 20, 2009 –Dove and Grammy nominated rock band Pillar
was honored today with two GMA Dove Awards nominations. The band, known for its riveting rock shows, was recognized in the
Rock Album category for its 2/26/08 hit album, For the Love of the Game and in the Rock Recorded Song category for that
album’s title track, “For the Love of the Game.”
Pillar will tour with Orlando-based rock band Fireflight from March 25 through the...
<< Full Report >>
Nominations were announced today for the Gospel Music Association’s 40th Annual Dove Awards.
Orlando-based rock band, Fireflight sent waves through the industry with its
recognition in the prestigious category of Artist of the Year, a huge accomplishment for any artist, but even more for a modern
rock band, and first-time Dove nominee. After eight years together as a band, these nominations cap off an overwhelmingly...
<< Full Report >>
Nominees for the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards were announced this morning at a press
conference in Nashville, Tenn. Provident Label Group affiliated artists, writers
and projects received a total of 52 nominations, across multiple categories, including: Fireflight, Casting Crowns and Third
Day in the Artist of the Year Category; Tenth Avenue North in the New Artist of the Year category; Third Day and Casting Crowns...
<< Full Report >>
Four-time Group of the Year Dove Award winners, Casting Crowns,
celebrates five nominations today for the 40th GMA Dove Awards, including Artist of the Year and a fifth consecutive nod for
Group of the Year.
Additionally, the band is nominated for Christmas Album of the Year for its 2008 chart-topping, first Christmas project
Peace On Earth. The top-selling album reached No.1 on iTunes...
<< Full Report >>EMI Christian Music Group is proud to congratulate several of their label group artists for
their recent Gospel Music Association Dove Award nominations. The 40th annual Dove Awards will take place on April 23, 2009
at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. and air live on Gospel Music Channel.
Three-time Gospel Music Association “Male Vocalist of the Year” and sixstep’s recording artist Chris Tomlin received the most...
<< Full Report >>INO Records and its artists have received 20 GMA Dove Award nominations, including key categories
such as Song of the Year, Group of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year. The 40th annual Dove
Awards will take place on April 23, 2009 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. and air live on Gospel Music Channel.
Multi-platinum and eight–time GMA Dove Award winner MercyMe is nominated in two categories for Group of the Year and Song of...
<< Full Report >>
Today Word Entertainment, through its artists, projects and other contributors,
garnered 56 GMA Dove Award nominations, with Fervent/Reprise Records’ new singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli leading
the way with five nominations, including “Song of the Year” (“I’m Letting Go”), “Female Vocalist of the Year,” and
“New Artist of the Year,” the most for any new female artist in the history of the Gospel Music Awards...
<< Full Report >>
Curb recording artist and GMA’s reigning three-time Female Vocalist of the Year,
Natalie Grant, has been nominated for five Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove
Awards, making her one of the top nominees this year.
Grant is once again nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year. Her win in this category last year marked the first time in 13
years...
<< Full Report >>
Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Fireflight, Marvin Sapp, Third Day, TobyMac and
Chris Tomlin have been nominated by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) membership
for Artist of the Year at the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards on April 23, 2009 in Nashville.
Those artists were among the Dove Award nominees announced at a press conference today at the Nashville Convention & Visitors
Bureau Visitor Information Center...
<< Full Report >>
After generating major attention from the Christian and mainstream music industries
with her six-song self-titled EP, Centricity Music’s, Lanae’ Hale, is scheduled to release her eagerly awaited full-length
album Back & Forth May 19, 2009. The title track will go for adds at radio March 6 and was recently featured on MTV’s
popular TV show “The Hills.”
“Lanae's music is a pure reflection of her life and heart,” says John Mays, Vice President, A&R, Centricity Music...
<< Full Report >>

*Thursday, February 19th, 2009*

This just in from Showbread...
It is with sincere regret that we announce the cancellation of the MARCH N2 MADNESS tour that was to begin next month.
Our drummer, Ricky Holbrook, has experienced a death in the family that has rendered it impossible for him to join us on the
tour. We tried very hard to find a temporary drummer to fill his shoes for the tour, but finding even a temporary member that
meets certain moral standards, has shared beliefs...
<< Full Report >>
New Integrity Music/Gateway Create artist Kari Jobe
enjoys the No. 1 CD at Christian retail and the top-selling spot for a week on iTunes Christian album sales chart. Kari Jobe,
which sold more than 11,552 units in its first week of sales, according to Nielsen SoundScan, also marks the highest Christian
and gospel music debut by a new artist since Mandisa’s first CD release in 2007...
<< Full Report >>
Joining forces with a prestigious group of 24 other American Idol alums, the largest gathering
of past Idol contestants to date, Mandisa took part in the grand opening of
Walt Disney World’s newest attraction, The American Idol Experience.
The American Idol alum from season 5 greeted fans and spoke with OK! Magazine, US Weekly, TV Guide, Access Hollywood...
<< Full Report >>
The UK-based, RIAA Certified Gold-selling, GRAMMY-nominated and Dove Award winning band
Delirious? releases its live CD/DVD, My Soul Sings, March 16 on Sparrow Records.
Known as forerunners of the modern worship movement and as one of the industry’s best live bands, Delirious? recorded its brand
new live CD/DVD in front of 12,000 fans in Bogotá, Columbia, South America.
Before taking a break from touring and recording at...
<< Full Report >>Newsboys are excited to announce that fans will now be able to download a high
quality live recording and original pictures of EVERY concert on the Join The Tribe Tour!
Starting with the first show on February 19th in Frederick, MD, visit
http://live.newsboys.com to purchase the official bootlegs for $9.99...
<< Full Report >>
GMA’s reigning three-time Female Vocalist of the Year and Curb recording artist, Natalie Grant,
headlined her Second Annual Home Foundation Concert earlier this week. The sold-out benefit also featured GMA’s 2008 New Artist
of the Year and Reunion recording artist Brandon Heath; Reunion recording artist Tenth Avenue North; and new BEC recording artist
Phillip LaRue...
<< Full Report >>
Joining forces with a prestigious group of 24 other American Idol alums, the largest gathering
of past Idol contestants to date, Brash Music’s Chris Sligh took part in the grand opening of Walt Disney World’s newest
attraction, The American Idol Experience.
The American Idol alum from season six greeted fans walked the Disney blue carpet with his peers and media from all over the
world, including OK! Magazine...
<< Full Report >>Rush Of Fools is enjoying great success in the mainstream market with their self-penned
duet with Jim Brickman, “Never Far Away.” The song is currently #14 on Billboard’s AC chart and #16 on Radio & Records’ AC
Monitored chart. As a result of this success, Rush Of Fools has seen a 74% in digital sales of the single that is also on
their current CD, Wonder Of The World. The duet version with Brickman is on his latest CD from Time Life...
<< Full Report >>
Critically acclaimed contemporary rock and Christian artist,
Chris Lizotte, recently teamed up with Varietal Records for his latest release,
Signal Hill Revival, which is currently available through major digital retail outlets and VineyardMusic.com.
The two-disc set includes a bonus DVD documentary that features candid interviews and exclusive behind the scenes studio footage...
<< Full Report >>

*Wednesday, February 18th, 2009*

According to Nielsen SoundScan, rock band RED
debuts its sophomore album this week atop multiple sales charts. INNOCENCE & INSTINCT, scanning nearly 40,000 units its first
week out entered the charts at No. 1 on the Record Label Independent Current Albums chart, No. 1 on the Top Current Contemporary
Christian Albums chart, No. 4 on the Top Current Alternative Albums chart, No. 6 on the Top Current Rock Albums Chart and...
<< Full Report >>
Best known for his 1994 hit "Back in the Day" and fronting the genre-busting band 4th Avenue Jones, hip-hop
legend Ahmad joins the Syntax Records family. This also marks the launch of
Ahmad's label, WE C.L.A.P., which stands for "We Change Lives, Attitudes & Perceptions". The San Diego-based Syntax and the
rapper from South Central Los Angeles fuse together to launch a new chapter in this West Coast story...
<< Full Report >>
The silence is over and the long awaited sophomore record from Mat Kearney is finally coming. After
releasing Bullet on Inpop Records in 2004 and then re-releasing it with alternate tracks on Columbia
in 2006 as Nothing Left To Lose, Kearney's May 19th release of City Of Black & White will be his
first all-new studio release in over four years. MatKearney.com has relaunched with a stream of the album's...
<< Full Report >>
In 2005, Flicker Records rock/metal act Staple disbanded after their release of their sophomore record. Now, over three
years later, the band is back together with plans for new music as they begin playing shows together again. Below is
lead vocalist Darin Keim's announcement, "This is Darin from Staple. In answer to your inquiries, the rumors, and the scheduling at Alive '09 and Ichthus '09:
STAPLE is reborn...
<< Full Report >>
Fans of Thousand Foot Krutch have been enjoying the sounds of FM Static,
the summery punk-pop side-project, since their 2003 debut. The counterpart has just announced the release of their third
studio project Dear Diary on April 7, 2009 with Tooth & Nail Records.
FM Static is composed of TFK singer-songwriter Trevor McNevan and drummer Steve Augustine, who both enjoy the fun...
<< Full Report >>
Today, rock band Jackson Waters announced that they have decided to take a break indefinitely. Below is the band's announcement...
"This weekend we decided that JW is going to take a break indefinitely. There has been no fall-out, but I (Toby) feel that
this is the time for me to take a step back from the band. This has been the most difficult and painful decision...
<< Full Report >>
On February 12th, we passed on the word from House Of Heroes about their release hitting stores March 3rd. Below is the
official news release from today with more details...
(Nashville, Tenn.) February 18th, 2009 – Powerpop rock band House of Heroes will
release their highly-acclaimed album The End Is Not The End at retail this coming March 3rd with two brand new songs “New Moon...
<< Full Report >>
Yesterday, August Burns Red announced their return to the studio for work to begin on a brand new studio record. In the meantime,
the band and Solid State Records are releasing a new EP consisting of b-sides and such from their previous record, Messengers.
The Lost Messengers: The Outtakes EP hits stores next Tuesday, February 24th.
"We just entered the studio to record our brand new album which will be out this summer....
<< Full Report >>
The Gospel Music Channel (GMC) will broadcast the world premiere of the
2009 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel special Sunday, February 22 at 8 p.m. EST as part
of the channel’s celebration of Black History Month. Co-hosted by Grammy Award-winning and platinum-selling star Kirk
Franklin and BMI’s Catherine Brewton, the event honoring pacesetters Twinkie Clark, Donald Lawrence, and CeCe Winans
features...
<< Full Report >>

*Tuesday, February 17th, 2009*

GRAMMY® Award nominees DecembeRadio are excited to join
the Newsboys for the 35-city Join the Tribe tour which launches this Friday, February 20th, in Fredrick, MD. The tour, which
will run through mid-April and also features bands VOTA and Bread of Stone, will support Global Tribe (www.globaltribe.com),
an organization fighting physical and spiritual poverty...
<< Full Report >>
Often called the “hardest working artist in contemporary Christian music,”
over her past decade of stellar career successes, Rebecca St. James is today
re-defining even her own definition of the term “busy!”
With music fans wondering over the past several months what ’09 holds in the way of new music from the Australian born Grammy...
<< Full Report >>
Arrow Records, an affiliate of Creflo Dollar Ministries, announces today the signing of
multi-talented gospel hip-hop artist Deshon Bullock, known professionally as Shonlock.
Having an artistry and range of talents that have taken him traveling around the country, he has worked with some of secular
and Christian music's most popular acts, from Aaliyah, Arrested Development, Grammy-nominated duo Grits, Kierra "Kiki" Sheard
and Trinitee 5:7 as a dancer, choreographer, and lyricist...
<< Full Report >>
The October 7, 2008 release of WOW Hits 2009 became RIAA certified gold for sales in excess of 250,000 units of the
double-disc CD just weeks after its release. Well on its way to platinum status, WOW Hits 2009 continues to see a
significant sales increase over the WOW Hits 2008 release, despite a declining market and all-time low in recorded music
sales, further proving the strength and staying power of the WOW brand...
<< Full Report >>The Drawing Room is a patchwork from years of sound bytes and ages of tuneful
marinating. If you listen closely enough, you can hear the Juniper tree from outside said window swaying in the breeze on
nearly every strain. Truthfully intended for headphone perusing, the likes of a heavily wooded trail, glass of blueberry juice
in hand and a pace set slightly under breakneck, would suffice...
<< Full Report >>
Big Idea, Inc., an Entertainment Rights group company, announced today that it will expand the
licensing program for its popular VeggieTales brand by introducing a fresh new
crop of merchandise. The Company has recently inked deals with several new licensing partners across key categories, including...
<< Full Report >>

*Monday, February 16th, 2009*

New EMI/Forefront Records rock act Philmont will release Oh Snap in retail stores
on April 21. In support of its release, the band will debut new music from Oh Snap on tour with labelmates Abandon and
This Beautiful Republic this week.
Produced by Rob Hawkins (Fireflight, Jackson Waters), Oh Snap will include the five songs featured on Philmont’s
digital EP, released last August, plus bonus acoustic track, “The Ascension.” The disc has huge sound, thanks to the excitable...
<< Full Report >>
Sparrow Records worship artist Sarah Reeves plays it cool with multi-Dove Award-winning producer, Ian Eskelin
(Stellar Kart, Krystal Meyers, All Star United) at his Franklin, Tenn. studio earlier this month. The 2008 GMA Dove Award winner
for Producer of the Year co-wrote and produced several songs on Reeves forthcoming label debut, Sweet, Sweet Sound, in stores
April 21, 2009...
<< Full Report >>Project 86 has been hard at work in the studio on their full-length follow-up to their 2007 release, Rival Factions.
The band issued an update from the studio today with some photos and a little insight on how the record will sound,
"Well, we are still working. After recording drums @ The Bomb Shelter studios in L.A., we have been working hard in Riverside,
CA @ The Improv Studios on vocals, guitar, and bass. As the record takes shape, it's becoming evident that we have another...
<< Full Report >>
Following the December release of Kevin Max's latest venture, Crashing Gates, the singer has hit the studio to
record four more songs for the full package release. Here is his personal announcement,
"I am finalizing plans with dpulse/fontana/universal for production schedule on the full package release, and follow-up to
Crashing Gates, tentatively titled COATS DE AMORE... this will put me back in the studio for 4 brand new tracks...
<< Full Report >>

*Saturday, February 14th, 2009*

Indie singer/songwriter Joy Williams has just announced her latest venture -- the formation of her first band, called
The Civil Wars. She announces, "At long last, I can finally tell you about something I'm very excited about. On top of working on my own music,
I'm working on a new band project with John Paul White - a truly amazing singer, songwriter and guitarist...
<< Full Report >>
Josh Havens of rock band The Afters addressed fans this morning with a personal request. The band's friend and manager
David Lipscomb has been battling pancreatic cancer for over a year and is in desperate need of prayer and financial support.
Below is Josh's letter. Please consider supporting the Lipscombs at the very least in prayer,
"Many of you may have known that our manager, David Lipscomb has been battling pancreatic cancer since January of 2008.
He went into remission and was even was told that he appeared...
<< Full Report >>

*Friday, February 13th, 2009*

Five-time GRAMMY ® Award winner, Steven Curtis Chapman will be performing
“Cinderella” from his latest album This Moment on the new, and widely popular HUCKABEE show on the Fox News Channel this
Saturday evening, February 14, at 8pm EST. The show is averaging 6.3 million viewers each weekend.
Chapman recently attended the 51st GRAMMY ® Awards in Los Angeles where he opened up to PEOPLE magazine...
<< Full Report >>RED was busy this week with the highly anticipated release of its sophomore album
Innocence & Instinct (2/10). The band
performed to a SOLD OUT show at Exit/In in its hometown of Nashville. Red Nation fans came from across the country to watch
RED perform on its street date. The band topped out on the iTunes Rock Album chart this week at No. 2 and Overall Album Chart
at No. 5. RED also continues its radio momentum on many different formats. The band participated in an f.y.e. in-store event as well...
<< Full Report >>
MySpace Music in partnership with TurboTax® Federal Free Edition, are proud to offer an
exclusive free download of The Fray's new track "Syndicate" off of the band's
recently released 2nd studio album titled The Fray. Fans can listen to and
download "Syndicate" for free by visiting TurboTax's official MySpace profile (http://www.myspace.com/turbotax). The song is
currently available for download via the MySpace Music Download program at no cost through Saturday, February 21st...
<< Full Report >>
Singer and songwriter Jason Allen Rich will
release A Beautiful Life with VSR Music Group on April 7th. The debut project from this alumni of American Idol will be
distributed through EMI CMG Music Distribution.
Choosing to open his heart and write songs about his faith and his very own life experiences, A Beautiful Life is sure...
<< Full Report >>
Staying true to his heart and passion with the recent release, Speaking Louder Than Before,
BEC Recordings artist Jeremy Camp launches new ministry aptly titled "Speaking Louder Ministries." The debut of this ministry
is a direct correlation to the November 2008 release, which has already sold more than 120,000 units. In addition, digital
downloads exceeding 100,000 singles of the emotional radio hit song "There Will Be a Day," which resonated strongly with
listeners. This week the song remained at No. 1 for the 13th week at AC Indicator. It also stayed at No. 1 for 9 weeks...
<< Full Report >>
New INO Records’ pop/rock band, VOTA, released their debut album to stores nationwide on Feb. 10 and has received rave
reviews from media outlets far and wide. After a mission trip to Kenya in 2007, the men of VOTA left Africa with the burden to help those in need. They teamed up
with Food for the Hungry, and with their digital album release last fall they sold digital download cards and gave a portion...
<< Full Report >>

*Thursday, February 12th, 2009*

House Of Heroes' The End Is Not The End, the album that Jesusfreakhideout.com staff chose as "Album of the Year" for 2008,
is finally hitting stores everywhere on March 3rd! The album will include a couple bonus tracks as well. If that isn't enough,
the guys will be releasing an acoustic EP on April 7th too! Below is their announcement, "Hey ya'll! I'm pretty excited to announce that our new record, The End is Not the End will be coming out in stores
everywhere on March 3! So, if you don't have it yet, you better get to the store and pick...
<< Full Report >>
It's an award winning week for dynamic gospel duo, Mary Mary,
who were awarded a 2009 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist (traditional or contemporary) in ceremonies held
earlier this evening in Los Angeles. Still glowing from their win at this past Sunday's Grammy Awards ceremony (Mary Mary won
for Best Gospel Performance), tonight's win garners sisters Erica and Tina Campbell their first NAACP Image Award...
<< Full Report >>
GRAMMY® nominee and American Idol finalist MANDISA is
speaking truth and encouragement to women worldwide about the freedom she has experienced through her faith and incredible
70+lb weight loss in her upcoming sophomore release, FREEDOM, bowing on March 24th.
FREEDOM is the follow-up to Mandisa’s 2007 debut, TRUE BEAUTY, an album that...
<< Full Report >>
Tonight, February 12th, CHRIS SLIGH will be a part of what is being called the
largest gathering of American Idol Winners and finalists to date as they join together to celebrate the opening of Walt Disney
World’s newest attraction, The American Idol Experience. Among those confirmed to attend are Ryan Seacrest, Fantasia, Ruben...
<< Full Report >>

*Wednesday, February 11th, 2009*

Slanted Records' band After Edmund attended the 51st Annual GRAMMY® Awards and its surrounding events
this past weekend. The band, nominated for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album for its debut, HELLO,
enjoyed their first attendance to this annual celebration of multiple and diverse musical genres. While there, After Edmund was
interviewed by outlets including MTV, VH1, Fox and Verizon, among others; and they met such legendary artists as Brenda Lee,
Metallica and the Blind Boys of Alabama...
<< Full Report >>
Attending GMA Music Week April 18-22, 2009,
in Nashville just became more affordable thanks to a newly announced registration rate drop. The newly reduced rate of $299
for Gospel Music Association (GMA) members goes into effect today and will be available until April 6. This is the lowest
registration rate offered by GMA in more than a decade.
“GMA understands the tremendous financial pressures we are all facing...
<< Full Report >>
With a passion for encouraging believers and creating music with a combination of substance
and style, the songwriting duo of Chris and Conrad are ready to reach the masses with their self-titled debut project on VSR
Music Group. Set to release May 5th, the project will be distributed by EMI CMG Distribution.
Comprised of Chris Kuti and Conrad Johnson, Chris and Conrad will soon be heard on radio stations...
<< Full Report >>

*Tuesday, February 10th, 2009*

Acclaimed rock band Jars of Clay,
known for its ground-breaking, intelligent music and humanitarian work worldwide, artfully explores matters of relationship
and community through the songs on its tenth studio album The Long Fall Back To Earth. The highly anticipated 14-track
project releases April 21 on Gray Matters/Essential Records.
From the band’s earliest days to the present, innovation has marked each step...
<< Full Report >>
One of Christian music’s top-selling and top touring acts, tween group
pureNRG, is set to release reNRGized to the CBA Market, online and
digital service providers on March 17th. Initially released as an exclusive to Family Christian Stores in December, the album
features remixed versions of fan favorites such as “Here We Go Again,” “Pray,” “What If,” and “360...
<< Full Report >>

*Monday, February 9th, 2009*

Last night at the 51st Annual GRAMMY® Awards, The Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album honor went to
the Gospel Music Association’s 2007 Artist of the Year, Forefront Recording artist, TobyMac,
just following the RIAA GOLD Certification of his 2007 studio project, PORTABLE SOUNDS. This marks his fifth consecutive
GRAMMY® nomination and his first win as a solo act for his newest project, ALIVE & TRANSPORTED, his CD+DVD combo that released
last summer. TobyMac won four GRAMMY® Awards as a member of dcTalk. The 51st Annual GRAMMY® Awards were broadcast live on CBS...
<< Full Report >>Brandon Heath was spotlighted in the Sunday edition (2/8), of The New York Times as a GRAMMY-nominated newcomer “that shouldn't be
allowed to slip through the cracks.” The article, and link are attached for your convenience.
Clip of story inside the full report, view full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/arts/music/08play.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=brandon%20heath&st=cse...
<< Full Report >>
Veteran rock band THIRD DAY, long a
proponent of allowing fans glimpses into their lives and passions, both on and off the stage, let the cameras and tape
recorders roll freely on several dates of its recent tour, and the result is nothing short of a “must-have” piece for
Third Day fans, worldwide: Live Revelations: On Stage, Off Stage, Backstage, due out April 7.
The 75-minute documentary seamlessly blends the powerful Third Day live concert experience...
<< Full Report >>
What do you get when you cross vegetables with classic Bible stories? The answer is
courageous cucumbers, ambitious asparagus and heroes of epic proportions! Featuring three of their best loved, Bible-based
classics, Big Idea, Inc., an Entertainment Rights group company, proudly presents VeggieTales®: Heroes of the Bible—A Baby,
A Quest and the Wild, Wild West, a 93-minute collection of heroic stories about legendary Bible characters
Moses, Miriam and Joseph all on one DVD for the first time...
<< Full Report >>

*Sunday, February 8th, 2009*

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards are in full swing and multi-platinum award winning
Gospel music sensations Mary Mary have racked up the coveted award taking home
the gold for Best Gospel Performance for their hit single, "Get Up," the lead single from their three-time Grammy nominated
album, The Sound, their latest release on the Columbia Records/Sony Music label.
Dynamic duo sisters Erica & Tina Campbell prove that 2009 is the year of Mary Mary...
<< Full Report >>

*Friday, February 6th, 2009*

Provident's Friday Buzz for Feb. 6th: Yesterday, Grammy-winning artist
Casting Crowns was the featured guest performer during the National Prayer
Breakfast in Washington, D.C. The platinum-selling band played its mega-hit songs “Voice of Truth” and “Who Am I” for
President Obama, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the more than 3,000 attendees, including dignitaries from more
than 180 nations. Casting Crowns spent the day with Congressman to the third district of Tennessee, Zach Wamp, touring the
Capitol building and performing again last night during a worship service at the Washington Hilton Hotel. The band’s...
<< Full Report >>
Christian music’s premiere rock band, Downhere,
has received their fourth JUNO Award nomination for their critically acclaimed CD, Ending Is Beginning, in the
Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album Of The Year category. The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS)
announced the nominees February 3rd at a press conference in Toronto. The winners will be announced at the JUNO Gala Dinner &
Awards Saturday, March 28th in Vancouver, British Columbia. Downhere has won two previous JUNO Awards,...
<< Full Report >>

*Thursday, February 5th, 2009*

Inpop Records artists Article One and
Newworldson both received 2009 Juno Award nominations, as announced by the
Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) during a media conference held at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal Oak Hotel
on Tuesday. The label mates were recognized in the same category, Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year, Newworldson
for Salvation Station and Article One for...
<< Full Report >>
Worship artist Kari Jobe will sing her way
through the street week of her Integrity Music self-titled debut record Kari Jobe (Feb. 10), performing in Texas, Oklahoma,
Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi and offering the proceeds from the music events to Life Outreach International's Water for
LIFE ministry.
Jobe is excited about sharing her new music, including the CD’s first single, “I’m Singing,” which...
<< Full Report >>
Nationally renowned speaker and author Susie Shellenberger is launching
Susie, a new publication for teen girls.
As the creator of acclaimed teen girl publication Brio, Shellenberger served as the magazine’s editor for 19 years before
publisher Focus on the Family discontinued its teen ministry and ceased publication last month. She quickly made the decision
to publish her own magazine..
<< Full Report >>

*Wednesday, February 4th, 2009*

Atlanta based rock band, Third Day continues its
successful run at radio with a No. 1 on the R & R Christian AC Monitored chart. The single has been No. 1 on the Christian Radio
Weekly (CRW) AC radio-impressions chart for the past four weeks.
This is the second single from the band’s Revelation (7/29/08) project to claim a top spot at radio; the first of which was “Call My
Name” which scored a No. 1 on R&R’s Christian AC Indicator chart on June 2...
<< Full Report >>
The GMA Foundation (GMAF) inducted artists
Michael W. Smith, Dolly Parton, Dr. Bobby Jones and The Dixie Hummingbirds
along with music producer Lari Goss into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Feb. 2, 2009 at a ceremony at Richland
Country Club in Nashville. The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame was established in 1971 and has inducted more than 150 members...
<< Full Report >>
When President Obama called for a “day of service” Circleslide’s lead singer,
Gabe Martinez, heeded the call by giving of his time at Feed The Children’s office in downtown Nashville. He joined the youth group
from Long Hollow Baptist Church as they prepared boxes of food for children in need.
“It was a wonderful day and such a blessing to experience these incredible teenagers as they worked so hard...
<< Full Report >>
Anxiously ready to release his solo debut, Phillip LaRue and BEC Recordings announces the
April 7, 2009 street date for the freewheeling spirited album Let the Road Pave Itself. This release is a masterpiece in
the making as Phillip LaRue finished recording the organic collection of original songs this past fall in Nashville, TN.
He will also head out on the road later this month to begin connecting with listeners. These dates will give fans a taste of
this artist's authentic...
<< Full Report >>
Three-time GRAMMY® nominee Chris Tomlin recently kicked
off his “HELLO LOVE TOUR” in a big way, performing to over 40,000 fans in just the first 10 dates alone. Also featuring Israel
Houghton and New Breed, markets including Baltimore, Newark, Hershey, Grand Rapids and Philadelphia have all reported capacity
and/or sold out crowds.
"The Hello Love tour is more than just a show,” remarked Mike Alley, Director of Live Events for WRBS, and the promoter...
<< Full Report >>

*Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009*

New Forefront Records signing, Texas rock outfit Abandon
will release its debut project, Abandon, April 21, 2009. The disc will include songs from the band’s breakthrough
summer EP in addition to current CHR/Rock radio single, “Hold On.”
Abandon’s digital EP, released July 22, 2008...
<< Full Report >>

*Monday, February 2nd, 2009*

In 1998, Forefront Records hard rock trio Grammatrain played their final show together after
only two studio albums. This past Fall, the guys reunited for the first time which has spawned a creative awakening for Grammatrain. As the
band is currently in the studio recording a brand new album, Jesusfreakhideout.com talked to vocalist/guitarist Pete Stewart about
how the band got back together and how the new tunes are shaping up...
<< Full Report >>
Belfast-based modern worship band Bluetree
hits U.S. shores with its highly anticipated debut album, God Of This City, releasing March 3. The recording’s
title track, written by the band, is gathering momentum at radio and has already been named an R&R Most Added hit single.
The song is also being sung in church services around the globe, was recorded by Chris Tomlin and Passion...
<< Full Report >>

Next Friday, September 20Jeremy CampThe Story's Not Over [Capitol]Life.Church WorshipGod So Good [DREAM]William McDowellThe Cry: A Live Worship Experience [Integrity]North Point Inside OutWide Open EP [Centricity]Social Club MisfitsDOOM - EP [Capitol]